Any updates from guys who used the staggered set-ups on 18's last winter?

I've been running stock sized PA2's on stock 18s for two winters now. No issues. No experience with a non-staggered setup for comparison though. I favor keeping wide rubber in the rear even in winter because when its dry I want the traction.

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A gen-u-ine BMW eff-eight-zero with them tandem clutches in the transmission and that dad gum sun roof on the top-a da cawr.

Yep. More sidewall is better for snow traction. If I could have gone with 17s I would have.

Yep, 18 is the right size when it comes to winter set-up for the M3: better traction (taller sidewall), more available sizes, cheaper, etc... However, I'm very tempted about 19'' VMR VB3s for winter duties. They look great and they are pretty affordable at $900. The original plan was to buy a set of used E9x OEM 18s, but I can't find them anymore. I really like these wheels.

Dear Ben,
Will my old set 18x8 Sport KM11 wheels and 225/40R 18 Pirelli Winter 240 Snow Sport N3 tires fit on my new M3 2011. Or I will need new set . I have 19" original wheels now, but I prefer to have winter set. Why does Tire Rack
recommend 18x8.5 or 19x8.5 wheels? Tnx

Ben
Need to order winters for my e92 M3. I've been running LM-22's on my 335xi. I live in Salt Lake City, UT, and see about 600 inches / snow / year where we ski. Roads usually have 3-4 inches of packed snow in the mornings around me. The LM-22's did very well on the xi. By the afternoon, the highway will be 40 F and dry. So, I need it all w/o using chains What are your thoughts on the LM-60 by comparison?

I would like to confirm this is still the current recommendation, I plan on going with a 245/40/18 square setup with OEM 18' wheels:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

To answer the questions above:

Yes, the square setup is fine. I often recommend it for those who need the best snow/ice traction. 235/40R18 or 245/40R18 are best for maximum winter traction. 255/40R18 can work all around too. To buy a square setup, just buy four of the "front" size and none of the rear. You sacrifice aggressive looks and the ability to put the power down more aggressively on dry pavement for better snow traction and more simplicity (no need to limit to matching front/rear pairs).

245/40R18 fits a 9.5" wheel. That is the widest it is recommended for, so it will look a bit stretched, but not horribly so. The recommended range is 8"-9.5". So "ideal" would be 8.5", with 9" a close second. (8.5" is the width they put it on to measure all the specs like width and total diameter etc).

235/40's actually have the same width range, so the above applies to it as well, although I would not want to put 235/40 on 9.5" width if I could help it.

So I need to get a Winter setup for my 2011 E90. I think I will be going with the following and wanted to know if anyone thinks I'm missing something... Decided to go with a "square" setup to maximize winter traction and preserve tread life by rotating each season.

Check out the VMR wheels at pyspeed.com. They can also get tires and mount them for you like tirerack.

I'm not sure with your car but my M3 has a different off set for the front and rears so even if I went with 235's all around I couldn't just rotate the front wheel to the back. I'd have to dismount the tires and rotate the tires (and not the rims).